Today is Purim, Judaism's answer to Halloween costumes, St. Patrick's Day drinking, and Easter baskets.
The story of Purim: an international tale
King Achashverosh was Finnish with his disobedient wife Vashti. "You Congo now!" he ordered her.
After she had Ghana way, the king's messengers went Roman the land to find a new queen. And India end, the beautiful Esther won the crown.
Meanwhile, Mordechai sat outside the palace, where the Chile Haman would Czech up on him daily.
"I Haiti you because you refuse to bow to me!" Haman scolded Mordechai. "USA very stubborn man. You Jews are such Bahamas! If you keep this up, Denmark my words! I will have all your people killed! Just Kuwait and see, you Turkey!"
Mordechai went into mourning and tore his clothes - a custom known as Korea. He urged Esther to plead with the king. The Jews fasted for three days and grew very Hungary.
Esther approached the king and asked, "Kenya Belize come to a banquet I've prepared for you and Haman?" At the feast, she invited her guests to a second banquet to eat Samoa.
The king asked, "Esther, why Jamaica big meal like this? Just tell me what you want. Unto half my United Kingdom will I give you."
Esther replied, "Spain-full for me to say this, but Haman is Russian to kill my people." Haman's loud Wales could be heard as he carried Honduran this scene. "Oman!" Haman cried bitterly. "Iraq my brains in an effort to destroy the Jews. But that sneaky Mordechai - Egypt me!"
Haman and his ten sons were hanged and went immediately to the Netherlands.
And to Sweden the deal, the Jews were allowed to Polish off the rest of their foes as well.
"You lost your enemies and Uganda friend," the king smiled.
And that is why the Purim story Israeli a miracle. God decided to China light on His chosen people. So now, let's celebrate! Forget all your Syria's business and just be happy! Serb up some wine and Taiwan on!
Hamentosh Rock (words by Ron Reff)
Hamentosh, Hamentosh, Hamentosh-en Roll out the dough and spread the fill-en Wind up the groggers and lets make some noise All you girls and boys
Hamentosh time is a nosh time The Purim holiday You can bet I'm gonna get mine My favorite pastry with some cafe ole
The King's on the throne and Esther's the Queen Living in Shushan's the best that it's been Make your noisemakers the loudest you can One more time... Haman!
Hamentosh time is a nosh time The Purim holiday It's a swell time almost springtime So give Mordechai a hip-hooray!
Swingin from the gallows Swingin on the floor Swingin around the clock Mix & mingle if you're married or you're single That's the Hamentosh -- Time to get a nosh -- That's the Hamentosh Rock!
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
Bless you for that unexpected insight! Posted by Ela (Member # 1365) on :
Is that your Purim shpiel, rivka?
Happy Purim, have a hamantasch!
**Ela**
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Nah, my Purim shpiel is going to be trying to deliver shalach manot in spite of the L.A. Marathon! Should be interesting . . .
Posted by Ela (Member # 1365) on :
Good luck!
I am letting my husband take care of the Shlach Manot - it's my day off. Posted by reader (Member # 3888) on :
I am exhausted. I took care of most of the cooking and baking this year, and combined with all the mishloach manos deliveries and a severe shortage of sleep last night plus earlier than usual rising to hear the megillah, I am definitely ready for bed.
Purim is wonderful, especially for the kids; they love getting dressed up, they love the nosh, they love the music and the commotion. Plus, my family has a ringside seat on Purim, because our closest neighbors are very wealthy and big baalei tzedakah, so all the groups stop by at their house, music blaring, dressed up in their customs, performing skits and plays.
I think it's great that all the boys go around collecting for tzeddakah on Purim - and they love it, too. Luckily, the boys in my family behave very respectably when drunk - in fact, it doesn't affect my father at all, except when he stands up and tries to walk - but then again, so do most of the boys in my brothers' yeshiva and the other yeshivos in the neighborhood. Actually, I've always thought how wonderful it was that getting drunk doesn't have a negative affect on most of the boys; most of them are only affected in that they dance and sing and become emotional about how great their friends are, or rabbeim are, or whatever.... Of course, there are always the few who get sick or get a bit too wild, but still. And after all, getting drunk only once a year is definitely a whole lot better than most people manage....
One thing's for sure, though. I am definitely going to make sure that the kids brush their teeth well tonight!!
Posted by aka (Member # 139) on :
Happy Purim!
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
Cool! Thanks for the interesting info on the traditions of Judaism. I guess I don't know very much. I would probably know more if I still lived in New England.
Happy Purim!
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
I echo reader's exhaustion. Delivered far fewer than most years; but with the marathon (and post-marathon traffic), it took almost as long. Plus the baking didn't get finished until today -- usually I'm done a day or two beforehand, or at the latest the night before.
Now I just need to get my still-jazzed kidlets to STAY in bed . . .
Posted by Danzig (Member # 4704) on :
Well I suppose technicaly I missed it, but Happy Purim anyway!
Posted by fallow (Member # 6268) on :
rivka.
you are a phenom - enaMom.
thanks,
fallow.
PS It was the kind of day in LA that made me happy to move here.
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
I'm glad it was a happy Purim. Hope you sleep tight.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Sleep? Heh, kids aren't the only jazzed ones . . . I'm just getting my second wind! Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
*sends you good vibes
Posted by fallow (Member # 6268) on :
whoa..., rivka?
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Yes, fallow? Posted by fallow (Member # 6268) on :
buenos noches (sp?)
Posted by fallow (Member # 6268) on :
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Should be interesting . . .
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